Compression Resistant Closure

ABSTRACT

A closure device is provided having an upper seal member with at least one tongue having a forward facing tip and a reverse facing tip configured to interlock with a matingly configured lower seal member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/915,809, filed May 3, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present device solves the long felt need for a reliable fastener that can be easily secured and separated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided is a device comprising an upper seal member having a base and a top wherein the top has at least one tongue having a forward facing tip and a reverse facing tip; and a lower seal member having a base and a top, wherein the top of the upper seal member and the top of the lower seal member provide mating surfaces between the upper and lower seal members, when interlocked together.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a closure device in an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a closure device in an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a closure device in a locked configuration with a tensile cross-pull strength applied.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of a closure device in a locked configuration with a compressive force applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, disclosed is a closure device 1 for creating a seal which includes an upper seal member 10 having a base 12 and a top 14, a lower seal member 20 having a base 22 and a top 24, and a slider 30, wherein the top 14 of the upper seal member and the top 24 of the lower seal member provide mating surfaces between the upper and lower seal members, when interlocked together. By moving a slider, or providing a force in one direction, the upper seal member is lifted from its interlocking relationship with the lower seal member, as depicted in FIG. 1.

Moving the slider or providing a force in the opposite direction causes the upper and lower seal members to interlock. The upper and lower seal members have interlocking tongue portions 60 and groove portions 70 which cooperate to interlock the members, see FIG. 2. The tongue portions of the upper member and lower member have both forward facing tips 62 and reverse facing tips 64 projecting from the tongue portions in a nearly perpendicular manner to the base of the seal member. The forward facing tips are those tips which are oriented to provide cross-pull strength, i.e. the strength of the closure when pulled apart in the same plane as the closure, as depicted in FIG. 3. The reverse facing tips are those tips which are oriented to provide compressive cross-pull strength when a compressive force is applied to the closure in the same plane as the closure, as depicted in FIG. 4. The upper member exhibits at least one tongue having a forward facing tip and at least one tongue having a reverse facing tip. The at least one forward facing tip and the at least one reverse facing tip may be present on one tongue or on different tongues. It is not necessary to have an equal number of forward facing tips and reverse facing tips. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1, a single tongue can have both a forward facing tip and a reverse facing tip, while a single different tongue has only a forward facing tip.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper seal member is engaged with the lower seal member in such a manner as to seal the tongues with the grooves in an interference fit. In order to assist in easy fitting of the tongues into the grooves, a lubricant may be used. The lubricant may be applied as a separate component, or may be a component of the material, such as a silicone or slip agent, from which the closure device is fashioned.

The present profile design incorporates the interlocking tongues and tips to maximize cross-pull strength and compressive cross-pull strength of the sealed closure. The incorporation of multiple tongue shapes in a single closure further allows the closure to maintain flexibility without compromising strength and performance. The tip design further allows the sealed closure to prevent being inadvertently pushed open. While this device is described using a slider to close the upper seal member to the lower seal member, it is also possible to seal the upper seal member to the lower seal member without the need of a closure, for instance by using a thumb or another pressure to interlock the tongue and grooves into a mating configuration. Further, while the upper seal member and the lower seal member may provide air tight or liquid proof seals when matingly engaged, it is understood that embodiments of this device may not need to provide such air or liquid-proof seals, and that these embodiments will provide a reliable closure.

Numerous materials may be used in the composition of the present invention, including but not limed to rubbers, metals, woods, plastics, polyurethanes, and other suitable materials. The sizing of the device may be similarly engineered to desired specifications.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, the present invention should not be limited to such illustrations and descriptions. 

1. A device comprising: a. an upper seal member having a base and a top wherein the top has at least one tongue having a forward facing tip and a reverse facing tip; and b. a lower seal member having a base and a top, wherein the top of the upper seal member and the top of the lower seal member provide mating surfaces between the upper and lower seal members, when interlocked together.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the upper seal member comprises polyurethane.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said upper seal member comprises a lubricant.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said lower seal member comprises a lubricant.
 5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a slider. 